Disabilities in the Classrooms

1. Dyslexia Autism Disabilities in the Classrooms Kelley Brenneman, Patrick Hazelton, and Aaron Olinger ADD/ADHD

2. “‘Normal,’ I’ve discovered, is a hard thing to define.”-Mike Kersjes A Smile As Big As the Moon

3. ADD and ADHD • ADD- attention deficit disorder • ADHD-attention deficit hyper disorder • Both are a biological brain based condition that is characterized by poor attention and distractibility and/or hyperactive and impulsive behaviors

4. Example from Teach With Your Heart • “Since I had discovered that they weren’t reading any of the chapters I assigned for homework, I had resorted to reading the chapters aloud. Obviously, reading aloud the entire period was not stimulating. And for the kids with ADD, it must have been torture. I must have sounded like the annoying teacher in Charlie Brown special: ‘Waa waa waa waa waa waa.’” -Page 24

5. Example from A Smile as Big as the Moon • “More than anything else, the teacher training program illustrated rather dramatically just how challenging Space Camp would be for the special education students from Forest Hills Northern High School. On our very first day of training, as I looked at the console in Mission Control, with all its lights, buttons, and switches, and listened to the sirens and whistles, I couldn’t help but think of how difficult it was to concentrate in that room. Even an emotionally healthy adult could be easily distracted. Exposing a special ed student with Tourette’s syndrome or Down’s syndrome or attention deficit disorder to this scenario was tantamount to throwing gasoline on a raging fire.” -Page 97

6. Symptoms of ADD/ADHD • typically appear before the age of seven • Can be difficult to separate ADD and normal ‘kid behavior’ • three primary characteristics of ADD/ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

7. Symptoms continued • Doesn’t pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes • Has trouble staying focused; is easily distracted • Appears not to listen when spoken to • Has difficulty remembering things and following instructions • Has trouble staying organized, planning ahead, and finishing projects • Frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or other items

8. How to teach • Kids with ADD/ADHD have a hard time paying attention in class and the mind wanders • teacher must make special effort to keep them focused • Don’t demand meds. And don’t lets meds be an excuse. • Try doing activities that make the class move around. Kids with ADD/ADHD tend to get antsy. IF possible, try using the big exercise balls instead of desk chairs. This way the students can bounce in place and use up energy.

9. Helpful video http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/82569/1506500

10. Dyslexia • Also known as Developmental Reading Disorder • Is a reading disability resulting from the inability to process graphic symbols

11. Example from Teach With Your Heart • “‘Sue Ellen, are you dyslexic?’” I asked. She looked at me with a blank stare ‘What does that mean?’ ‘You have a tendency to misplace your letters. I’ll show you on the chalkboard. If I write cat, I write C-A-T, but if you write cat, you might write T-A-C.’ ‘Is it a disease?’ she asked as if I were an oncologist diagnosing a terminal illness. ‘No, your brain just processes information differently. That’s all.’ ‘So I’m not stupid?’ ‘Of course not! Where would you get that idea?’ ‘My teacher last year made me feel stupid. In front of the whole class, he told me that he didn’t expect me to do well.’” -Page 149

12. Example from A Smile as Big as the Moon • “…Scott, a dyslexic kid who is trying to live up to his father’s grand expectations…” -Page 4

13. Symptoms of Dyslexia • Directional confusion • Sequencing difficulties • Difficulties with the little words • Late talking • Difficulties with handwriting • Bizarre reading and spelling

14. Another helpful video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZLFTW4OGY&feature=related

15. How to Teach • Kids with dyslexic also have a hard time paying attention in class. • The words will float around the page. Sometimes the pages with change colors. • It’s YOUR job as their teacher to help them. • Try recording the reading assignment on a tape recorder so that the student can listen to the assignment. NEVER EVER SHOULD YOU TELL AND/OR MAKE A STUDENT FEEL THAT THEY ARE STUPID!

16. Autism • Is a developmental disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills

17. Example from A Smile as Big as the Moon • “Pat [Zerfas] was moderately autistic-he drifted in and out of his own private word, never really bothering anyone, but never paying full attention, either.” -Page 75

18. Symptoms of Autism • No babbling by 12 months • Poor eye contact • Excessively lines things up • Doesn’t smile • Lack of sharing interest • Repetitive Behaviors

19. How to teach • Kids with autism, no matter how severe, tend to drift in and out of their own little worlds. • As a teacher, sometimes it’s better to let them drift and work with them when they start paying attention again. • Some kids with autism will become violent if the teacher tries to force them to do something they don’t want to do.

20. How to teach continued • Make a schedule for the student and stick to it. Have it displayed where the student can see it. • Clearly divide up your classroom into sections.

21. One more helpful video http://www.5min.com/Video/What-is-Autism-118122099

22. Story Time Reading the epilogue of A Smile As Big as the Moon

23. Sources • http://helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_signs_symptoms.htm • http://dyslexia.learninginfo.org/symptoms.htm • http://www.autism-society.org/site/Clubs?club_id=1217&sid=8610&pg=other